To Have And Have Not

To outsiders, Orange County may be a homogenous community tied together by sunshine and wretched traffic snarls. But there is a definite class distinction here, too, dividing the "haves" from the "have nots" -- homeownership. What, besides relentless appreciation, cleaves the owner and renter classes? Demographics and, to some extent, outlook. Owners are: more highly educated than renters; older; more affluent; more Republican (but more Democratic, too, owing to renters' lack of political affiliation), and less mobile.

The attitudinal lines are less distinct: Both owners and renters think that in terms of the quality of life, things are going well in Orange County, but both groups are pessimistic about the future; For both, the single-family detached home is an ideal (but owners are much more likely to have already achieved that dream), and Owners are somewhat happier now, but renters are more likely to think things will be better for them next year.